Possible virus contaminants in tissue banking.

The importance of transplantation in clinical medicine is still increasing. Risks by transmission of infections agents by virus contaminated transplants with following diseases are most feared. Anamnesis and course of spectacular cases by unconventual viruses (Creutzfeld-Jakob), pathogens of AIDS and rabies and transmission by different routes have been analysed. The necessity of legal directives for blood and tissue banks has to be stressed.